The e-elt will be the largest optical-infrared telescope in the World

The E-ELT will be the largest optical-infrared telescope in the World

• The E-ELT will be the largest optical-infrared telescope in the World

• The project is in the detailed design phase, with the plan to start construction in 2011, and to have first light 7 years later

• Construction cost: about 1 Billion Euro

• Top priority of European ground-based astronomy

Contemporary science: exo-planets, planet formation, resolved stellar populations beyond the Local Group, black holes, the physics of high redshift galaxies, the expansion of the universe, ...

• Contemporary science: exo-planets, planet formation, resolved stellar populations beyond the Local Group, black holes, the physics of high redshift galaxies, the expansion of the universe, ...

• Synergies with other top facilities: ALMA, JWST, survey telescopes, SKA, ...

• Discoveries: opening new parameter space in spatial resolution and sensitivity, ...

Nasmyth telescope with a segmented primary mirror of 42 m diameter

• Nasmyth telescope with a segmented primary mirror of 42 m diameter

• Nearly 5000 tons of structure

• Two instrument platforms of the size of tennis courts

• Six laser guide stars

Primary mirror: 42m ∅, 984 segments of 1.4m, 1200 m2

• Primary mirror: 42m ∅, 984 segments of 1.4m, 1200 m2

The E-ELT dome: base of 100m diameter, and 80m high

• The E-ELT dome: base of 100m diameter, and 80m high

• The size of a football stadium

Two to three first light instruments are foreseen

• Two to three first light instruments are foreseen

Site decision by end of 2009

• Site decision by end of 2009

• Several sites in Chile, Morocco, the Canary Islands, Argentina, Mexico, ... are being intensively tested

• Selection criteria: impact on science, outstanding atmosphere, but also construction and operations logistics (roads, water, electricity, nearby cities, ...)

Project led by ESO on behalf on its 14 member states

• Project led by ESO on behalf on its 14 member states

• Strong involvement of member state industries and scientific communities

The public web pages: http://www.eso.org/public/astronomy/projects/e-elt.html

• The public web pages: http://www.eso.org/public/astronomy/projects/e-elt.html

• The science users web pages: http://www.eso.org/sci/facilities/eelt/

• Brochures, Posters, etc: http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/products/publ/brochures/index.html

• Gallery: http://www.eso.org/gallery/v/ESOPIA/EELT

• Watch out for science meetings every year